35 Main Dish Casserole Recipes That Make Dinnertime So Easy

By Mary Shannon Wells
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

What would dinnertime in the South be without trusty casserole recipes? They’re easy, kid-friendly, and you can usually find a spare casserole stored in the freezer for the most hectic weeknights. Although we love classic side dish casseroles for cookouts and holidays, main dish recipes are more useful for weeknight dinners. When you don’t have the time to prep a main dish and several sides at dinnertime (which, who does these days?), these ideas get it all done for you. You won’t hear an ounce of resistance from the kids when they see enchiladas, pizza casserole, or barbecue mac and cheese on the table. And they’ll have no idea that we lightened up classic comfort food recipes like lasagna and tuna noodle casserole with healthier versions. With these main dish casserole recipes, you can put a satisfying dinner on the table in one dish.

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Put a Satisfying Dinner on the Table, All in One Dish!

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Meatloaf Casserole

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Meatloaf Casserole

This Southern take on classic Shepherd’s Pie includes a creamy mashed potato topping for a complete meal in one dish.

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Zucchini Lasagna

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Zucchini Lasagna

Meatless Monday doesn’t have to lack comfort. This summery lasagna recipe is filling and fresh.

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Ham and Noodle Casserole

Jen Causey

Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole

This is the perfect easy casserole to throw together with whatever you have on hand during busy weeks.

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Pizza Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Pizza Casserole

Pizza night just got a dose of Southern comfort with this kid-friendly casserole.

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Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables

This one-dish casserole has everything you crave about classic chicken pot pie in less time thanks to puff pastry.

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Smothered Enchiladas

Southern Living

Recipe: Smothered Enchiladas

With just 10 minutes of hands-on time, these creamy enchiladas are the quickest and easiest way to feed a hungry crowd.

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

This super-cozy ground beef casserole can be made up to one month in advance and kept in the freezer for your busiest nights.

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Chicken Casserole D'Iberville

Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken Casserole D’Iberville

This Mississippi original can be made from scratch or with your favorite grocery store rotisserie chicken for a time-saving spin.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Kentucky’s favorite sandwich gets big-batch treatment with this casserole that uses tender, slow-cooked turkey.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

This casserole recipe has everything we love about pasta salad in a cozy, warm dish.

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French Onion Soup Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: French Onion Soup Casserole

Sweet Georgia Vidalia onions shine in this oh-so-comfy take on one of our favorite soup recipes of all time.

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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

King Ranch Chicken truly reigns supreme when it comes to crowd-pleasing Southern casseroles.

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Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

This big-batch version of classic shrimp and grits can be enjoyed from brunch to dinner.

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Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

This simple gratin is a nice diversion from noodle-and rice-based casseroles.

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Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Every Southern cook has an old-school poppyseed casserole recipe in his or her repertoire, and this one is one of our all-time best.

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Spaghetti Casserole

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

You don’t even have to pre-cook the noodles for this simple slow-cooker casserole recipe that makes pasta night easier than ever.

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New Tuna Casserole

Greg Dupree

Recipe: New Tuna Casserole

Our updated version of Mama’s classic tuna-noodle casserole is lightened up on calories but not flavor.

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Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

There’s nothing we love more than a chicken casserole, but they get a weeknight-meal reputation. This pretty recipe is company-worthy for your easiest dinner party ever.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joes are a guaranteed hit with the kids, but they’re, well, sloppy. This one-dish dinner solves the messiness issue without slacking in the kid-friendly department.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

No filling or rolling required! Our easiest enchilada recipe ever is a fun way to switch up your dinner routine.

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Healthy Turkey Lasagna

Southern Living

Recipe: Healthy Turkey Lasagna

The kids will be excited it’s lasagna night, and they’ll have no idea this version is lightened up from traditional recipes.

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Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake

Hectic week? You can still get a homemade dinner on the table with this five-ingredient recipe.

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Skillet Vegetable Pie with Goat Cheese

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Skillet Vegetable Pie

File this phyllo-crusted pie under “hearty and satisfying meatless meals.”

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Tomato ‘n’ Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Ground beef is a foolproof staple for weeknight dinners, especially when baked into a cheesy casserole.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Store-bought sauce and rotisserie chicken speed up this incredibly comforting casserole recipe.

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Reunion Pea Casserole

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Reunion Pea Casserole

Tell the family to bring their appetites: This Mama-approved casserole is filled to the brim.

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Italian Casserole

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole

This recipe from our November 1990 issue has been saving us at dinnertime for decades.  

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Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Casserole

This hearty seafood casserole is perfect for a cozy summer night in.

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

If you don’t have a recipe for this Southern staple, go ahead and save this one.

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Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Barbecue Mac and Cheese

This super-Southern recipe combines two comfort food favorites—mac and cheese and barbecue.

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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Need to use up your fresh farmers’ market haul but way more in the mood for a big plate of pasta? We’ve got your back.

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Huevos Rancheros Bake

Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Huevos Rancheros Bake

Hosting weekend brunch or craving breakfast for dinner? This skillet bake will be a definite hit.

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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

You might not believe kale could be considered a comfort food, but if you try this recipe, you’ll be convinced.

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Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

“Cobbler” doesn’t always mean fruity and sweet—this savory, biscuit-topped casserole is one of our favorite uses of the word.

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Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli

This skillet supper is a new favorite in our weeknight roundup.

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